The Broncos and Texans had some joint practices during the week, and this game should be a good test for both teams.

Still, they are two teams going in opposite directions.

The Texans are a team in rebuilding mode with journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. On the other hand, the Broncos are ready to make good on what they couldn't accomplish last season, looking to return to the Super Bowl and getting the victory this time.

In two preseason games, the Broncos have outscored their competition 55-16. Their two opponents happen to be the two teams that played in the NFC Championship Game last season.

Yes, it is only preseason, but there is no denying how good this Denver offense looks. Shockingly, it could be even better than it was last season when the team broke several NFL records.

Against Houston, the Broncos will face a team with some of the most talented players in the league on defense. It will be a good challenge for Peyton Manning and his offense to get a rhythm going against them.

With it being the third preseason game, long considered the "dress rehearsal" for the regular season, both teams will want to play at their top level.

That makes things so much more interesting, preseason game or not.

Here, we have a full preview of this game including injuries, matchups to watch and predictions. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.

Broncos' Preseason Week 2 Recap

1 of 5

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

In the first football game ever played at Levi's Stadium, the Broncos dominated the San Francisco 49ers in every phase of the game.

Showing great roster depth, the Broncos shutout the 49ers by a score of 34-0.

Both Brock Osweiler and Zac Dysert played well in relief of Peyton Manning. Osweiler threw a pretty 33-yard touchdown to rookie wide receiver Cody Latimer in the third quarter.

The Broncos had 357 yards of total offense and didn't turn the ball over once while creating four turnovers of their own. There wasn't much to be disappointed about if you're a Broncos fan.

If there was a blemish in their 34-point victory, it appears the Broncos can tighten up on kickoff coverage. The 49ers were able to find some holes in the return game and nearly broke a couple returns for huge gains.

Still looking for strong contribution from its special teams, the team has an area to focus on when it plays Houston on Saturday night.

News and Notes

2 of 5

ED ZURGA/Associated Press

Who Will Be the Team's Punt Returner?

If there is one hole on the Denver roster, it is punt returner.

With Trindon Holliday moving on in free agency, the Broncos were likely hoping to find their new return man early on in training camp. Of all people, Jordan Norwood stepped up and performed the best.

But unfortunately for Norwood, his 2014 season is already over. It's devastating news for Norwood, who was out of the NFL last season.

Jordan Norwood suffered a torn left ACL.. Tough break. Was front runner to make team as punt returner and sixth receiver. #Broncos

For the Broncos, they must now find a reliable punt returner. Undrafted rookie Isaiah Burse should be given plenty of chances to be the return man now that Norwood is out of the picture.

Unless Burse can prove he's worthy of a roster spot, the Broncos may be forced to turn to Wes Welker to handle punt return duties.

During the preseason, Norwood had two punt returns for 37 yards. Burse has also had two chances to return punts, gaining just 12 yards.

19-0

Now working as an NFL analyst for CBS, Tony Gonzalez has already made a bold prediction for the 2014 season—the Denver Broncos will go undefeated.

In a recent interview with Bob Glauber of Newsday, Gonzalez, the former Kansas City and Atlanta tight end, cited Peyton Manning's command of the offense and the defensive additions through free agency as the reasons he thinks the Broncos will achieve a 19-0 record.

A perfect record hasn't been done since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, and the Broncos have a difficult schedule this season, having to face the NFC West. That includes a trip to Seattle to meet the defending Super Bowl champions in Week 3.

However, if the way the team has looked in preseason is any indication, Mercury Morris and the rest of those '72 Dolphins may have reason to be nervous.

Denver Broncos Fans Rank Second

In a recent study conducted by Forbes, fans of the Denver Broncos are among the best in the NFL. In fact, only the fans in Green Bay were ranked higher.

This study included things like television ratings, stadium attendance and merchandise sales. This is a very big honor for Broncos fans, who have helped make Denver one of the toughest places for opponents to come in and get a victory.

X-Factors and Matchups to Watch

Jadeveon Clowney may be an unproven rookie, but the Atlanta Falcons have already seen firsthand what he is can do.

Clowney had to leave the joint practice with the Broncos this week after a collision with backup tight end Jacob Tamme, but the injury doesn't appear serious, and he should play Saturday night.

Clowney is a freakish athlete who can have a huge impact on a football game. The Broncos need to be aware of him on every play, prepared to keep him away from Peyton Manning. They don't want their star quarterback taking any big shots from this guy.

Aqib Talib was beaten badly on a play against San Francisco last Sunday in which Brandon Lloyd ran right by him and would have had a touchdown if the ball wasn't overthrown.

On Saturday night, he'll get a chance to face one of the league's best wide receivers, Andre Johnson.

Johnson is still trying to create chemistry with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Talib could throw that off.

Denver signed Talib specifically to face guys like Johnson, so it would be a big victory for the Broncos if Talib gets the better of this matchup.

Broncos' Offensive Line vs. J.J. Watt

According to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com, things got a little out of control between some Denver offensive linemen and Houston defensive end J.J. Watt during the joint practice held between the two teams.

"You don't normally fight when you win the rep. I have no interest in fighting someone when I beat you. ... That's why I don't normally get into fights. When you hit me, I don't feel a need to hit back. You can turn on the film, see what happened," Watt went on to say.

On Saturday night, the Broncos will get another shot at Watt, and you can bet they'll come at him the same way. With the entire Denver team focused on being more physical this season, what better way to impose your will than with Watt?

Good luck with that.

X-Factor Player of the Week- Emmanuel Sanders

Providing he plays, it's time for Emmanuel Sanders to make his presence known in Denver.

Manning will want to get something going with his new receiver before the season starts, so look for Sanders to be involved early and often in the passing game.

Some fans in Denver may be worried about his lingering injuries, but Sanders will show that it's nothing serious as soon as he steps on the field for the first time.

Prediction

5 of 5

Bob Levey/Getty Images

This is the third preseason game, which is generally the game teams keep their starters in the longest. Thus, it will be the closest thing we see to a regular game before the season starts.

The biggest challenge for Denver in this game will be protecting against Houston's two-headed monster of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.

The Texans just don't have enough firepower on offense to keep up with the Broncos, so if the Texans have any chance to win, they'll have to get some big plays from the defense.

The Broncos, on the other hand, seem to be on a mission this preseason, already getting big wins over Seattle and San Francisco.

There's no reason to believe Denver won't roll the Texans right out of town, and they should win this game handily.